Car truck



March 27,1934. 1.1. SULLWAN' 1;952,295

CAR TRUCK Filed July 20. 7192! named Ma 27, 1934 1,952,295 CAR TRUCK Jeremiah J. Sullivan, Nashville, Tenn.

Application July 20, 1927;Serial No. 207,222

17 Claims.

This invention relates to trucks for, railway rolling stock and, more particularly, to such which provide for increased spring capacity between the bolster and side frames thereof.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a truck adapted for use with cars and locomotive tenders in which increased capacity is provided for supporting the bolster and in which the bolster is not directly interlocked with respect to the bolster guide columns but rather with a cap for the bolster springs, and said cap is, in turn, interlocked with respect to said guide columns.

An object of my invention is the provision of a flexible car truck which may be constructed without the usual spring plank and equalizers, the tension member of the side frame thereof beneath the bolster opening being formed for directly supporting and positioning bolster springs,

the upper ends of said bolster springs directly supporting an associated spring cap, which cap and the truck bolster are provided with interlocking means extending therebetween, said bolster being 'freely insertable and removable with re- 5 spect to the frame, said spring cap, instead, being mounted for vertical motionbetween the bolster guide columns, and interlocking means extending between said cap and columns being provided for preventing undesired transverse motion thereof. Another object of my invention is the provision of a spring cap for the bolster springs of a truck, said cap being provided with an upstanding lug extension or extensions adapted to interlock in a corresponding pocket, depression or depres sions, in the lower face of the associated bolster,

said cap being likewise provided with means interlocking the same with respect to the adjacent bolster guide columns while permitting vertical 0 motion with respect thereto, whereby the sides of said bolster may be straight and unprovided with means interlocking the same with respect to said guide columns.

A further object of my invention is the provi- 5 sion of a car truck adapted for use without the usual spring plank, the bolster springs thereof resting directly and preferably encircling spring positioning bosses on a spring supporting portion of the tension member beneath the window opening of each side frame, said truck being provided with spring caps resting on the bolster springs and formed with depending spring positioning bosses encircled by said springs, the upper surfaces of said caps being preferably crowned for i permitting equalization of the bolster thereon,

.struction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims: 7

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a truck embodying my invention, certain of thebolster springs being removed and a portion of 7 the spring cap and bolster being broken away.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the spring cap particularly illustrating a slot therein for interlocking the same for vertical movement with respect to an associated bolster guide column.

* Referring to the drawing in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, there is illustrated a portion of atruck l involving side frames 2, only one of which is shown, having a compression member 3, a tension member 4 and bolster guide columns 5 extending therebetween. Said compression and tension members may be of conventional form and meet at their ends, (not shown), where they are integral with. or adapted for connection with, associated journal boxes (not shown) as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The bolster guide columns, instead of being provided with upper bolster guiding portions to which the bolster is normally interlocked for vertical motion with respect thereto and lower more widely spaced portions between which the bolster may be inserted and removed, are made substantially straight and uniformly spaced, thereby providing a window or bolster opening 6 approximately rectangular and of greater than normal area, whereby the same is adapted to receive a nest of springs '7 of increased capacity. Said nest of springs 7 is adapted for support directly on the tension member beneath the window opening, said tension member, for that purpose, being widened between the bolster guide columns and formed with upstanding lugs 8 normally encircled by the springs 7 and serving to properly space the same.

Those portions of the upper web 9 of the tension member, forming a spring seating portion and changing the section of the tension member from U to generally box shape, which extend beyond the side flanges or webs 10 of said tension member 4, are preferably braced with respect to said web portions 10 by means of substantially triangular gussets 11, thereby providing for the adequate support of the springs. These, in the present embodiment, are shown as six double coil spring units, the inner coils 12 of which encircle the positioning bosses 8 and serve for properly positioning the outer coils 13. It is possible to use six standard bolster spring units, disposed as two rows of three units each as illustrated, in a window or bolster opening 5 of standard overall length or width on account of making the width of the upper portion correspond with that of the lower portion, thereby avoiding the usual form of bolster opening in which the upper portion thereof is restricted. This construction of the window opening makes it possible to construct the frame with the parts generally standard except as particularly noted.

The upper ends of the springs 12 and 13 support a spring cap or plate 14, the lower surface of which is preferably formed with depending lugs 15 corresponding in size and spacing with the lugs 8 on the spring seating portion of the frame, and engaging within said springs, whereby the upper ends of said springs are properly spaced with respect to each other. In order to prevent undesired withdrawal or transverse movement of the spring cap 14 while, at the same time, permitting the desired vertical movement thereof, upon compression of the springs 12 and 13, to a greater or less degree, interlocking means are provided between said spring cap and the bolster guide columns 5.- In the present embodiment, saidinterlocking means comprise inwardly extending vertical flanges or lugs 16 on the inner faces of the bolster guide columns 5; the spring cap 14 being correspondingly notched or grooved as indicated at 17 to receive said lugs 16 and provide for the vertical motion of said spring cap with respect thereto. In order to provide for grooves or notches 17 of substantial length and avoid undue wearbetween the cap 14 and the guide columns 5, depending lugs or bosses 18 are provided which surround said notches 17 or in which said notches may be considered as extendin The upper surface of the spring cap 14 of each frame is preferably, though not necessarily, curved convexly or crowned as indicated at 19 to provide for equalization of the associated bolster 20 at each end thereof. The lower or engaging surface 21 of the bolster may be correspondingly concavely curved, if desired, whereby equalization is effected upon relative sliding between said bolster and spring cap. Interlocking means are provided extending between the bolster and spring cap, which cap may be considered as an end member for the bolster, for holding said bolster in assembled relation with respect thereto, said means, in the present embodiment, comprising an upstanding lug 22 on the spring cap 14, and of a length corresponding with that of said cap, received in a corresponding pocket or downthe art.

wardly opening cavity 23 in the bolster 20, the desired amount of lost motion or play being provided between said lug and cavity, as illustrated. Although a particular form of interlocking engagement between the spring cap and bolster is illustrated and described, it is obvious that I do not wish to be limited to this showing as the lug may be provided on the bolster and extend into a corresponding cavity or pocket in the spring cap. Also, instead of a. single longitudinally extending boss or lug, a plurality of such may be provided on one of the members extending into corresponding cavities or pockets in the other or a lug or lugs extending in a direbtion other than that here illustrated may be provided, the object being to provide for the secure yet convenient interlocking of the bolster with respect to the spring cap. 4

On account of the interlocking arrangement between the spring cap and bolster guide columns and between the bolster and spring cap, no necessity arises for the usual interlocking arrangement between the bolster and bolster guide columns so that the width of the bolster corresponds with the distance between the columns, and the sides of said bolster are plane and adapted for direct engagement and guidance by the columns, thereby permitting the free insertion and removal of the bolster to position. Of course, it is necessary to have the bolster slightly raised with respect to the spring cap until the lug 22 on the spring cap registers with the pocket in the bolster when the bolster may be dropped into the looking relation with respect to the spring cap such as is illustrated. Said bolster, in the present embodiment, is illustrated as formed with an upper web 24, a lower web 25, side webs 26 and intermediate webs 27, said intermediate webs serving to reinforce the walls of the cavity or pocket 23 and being shown extended for only a relatively short distance to either side of said pocket.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that I have devised an improved car truck in which the bolster or window openings of the side frames are enlarged, as described, to provide for increased spring capacity. Although a spring plank is shown as dispensed with, the bolster springs being Supported directly on the spring supporting portion of the tension member beneath the window opening, yet a spring plank of conventional form may be employed, if desired, as will be understood by those skilled in Although particular interlocking means are illustrated between the bolster guide columns and spring cap, and between said cap and bolster, it is obvious that I do not wish to be limited to the exact showing as, for example, the interlocking lugs and cooperating pockets may be transposed from one member to the other without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a truck, in combination, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide-columns interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a window opening, that portion of the tension member beneath the .window opening being adapted to support springs,

a nest of bolster springs resting on said portion of the tension member, a spring cap resting on said springs, and a bolster supported on said spring cap in interlocking relation therewith, substantially the entire top surface of said cap and the engaging surface on said bolster being correspondingly curved about an axis therebeneath for permitting sliding equalization therebetween.

2. In a truck, in combination, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a window opening, that portion of the tension member beneath the window opening being formed for the support of bolster springs, a nest of bolster springsresting on said portion of the tension member, a spring cap supported on said springs and formed with an upwardly extending lug and a bolster supportedon said spring cap with a cavity in the underside thereof receiving said lug for locking said bolster in place, the surface of said cap on either side of said lug being curved for permitting equalization of said bolster.

3. In a truck, in combination, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a window opening, said window opening being generally rectangular in outline and wider at its upper portion than normal for receiving springs of increased capacity, that portion of the tension member beneath the window opening being adapted to support said springs, a nest of bolster springs resting on said portion of the tension member, a spring cap resting on said springs and a bolster supported on said spring cap, said bolster being formed of a width corresponding with the distance between the bolster guide columns so that it is freely insertable and removable when at approximately normal elevation with respect thereto, said spring cap being formed with an upstanding lug and said bolster being provided with a downwardly opening pocket loosely receiving said lug for locking said bolster against withdrawal, while permitting limited sliding movement thereof.

4. In a truck, in combination, a side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a window opening, that portion of the tension member beneath the window opening being formed to support springs, a nest of springs restingon said portion of the tension member, a spring cap resting on said springs and interlocked with respect to the guide columns, whereby vertical motion is permitted and transverse motion thereof prevented, a bolster slidably supported on said spring cap and guided by the guide columns, and means extending between said bolster and spring cap and loosely received for interlocking said bolster with respect to said cap and frame, while permitting a limited amount of motion transversely of said frame.

5. In a truck, in combination, a side frame comprising. a compression member, a tension member, bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to-leave a window opening, that portion of the tension member beneath the window opening being adapted to support springs, a nest of bolster springs resting on said portion of the tension member, a spring cap resting on said springs, the upper surface of said spring cap being crowned, a bolster supported on said spring cap and formed with a complementary concavely curved surface engaging the crowned surface of said spring cap, and means extending from one of said engaging members into a corresponding pocket in the other member for interlocking said bolster in place.

bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a window opening, that portion of the tension member beneath the window opening being provided with upstanding spring positioning lugs, a nest of bolster springs resting directly on said tension member with the springs thereof engaging said positioning lugs, ,a spring cap resting on said springs and provided with depending spring positioning lugs engaging within the said springs, the upper surface of said spring cap being provided with an upstanding lug, and a bolster supported on said spring cap with the lower surface of said bolster recessed for receiving said lug.

7. In a truck, in combination, aside frame comprising a compression member,v a tension member,

bolster guide columns interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a window opening, said window opening being generally rectangular and wider than normal at 't e upper portion thereof, that portion of the tension member beneath the window opening being formed to support springs, a nest of bolster springs resting directly on said portion of the tension member, a spring cap directly supported on and interlocking withsaid springs, means extending between said spring cap and the adjacent portions of the bolster guide columns for interlocking said spring cap with respect to said columns while permitting vertical movement thereof, the upper surface of said spring cap being curved convexly and formed with an upstanding lug, and a bolster supported on said spring cap with the engaging surface correspondingly curved for equalizing motion with respect to the spring cap and formed with a cavity for receiving said lug.

8. A spring cap for the bolster springs of railway trucks comprising a body portion with an upstanding lug for interlockingv said cap with respect to an associated bolster, the upper surface of said body portion on either side of said lug being with a lug extending the full length thereof for interlocking the same with respect to an associated bolster, the sides of said cap and ends of the lug being formed for interlocking engagement with the bolster guide columns of an associated side frame.

11- A railway truck comprising side frames having vertical columns, plates held by said columns, a bolster extending into said side frames with its ends resting slidably and directly on said plates for lateral movement with respect thereto, and means limiting transverse movement of said bolster relative to said frames.

12. A railway truck comprising a side frame having upper and lower longitudinal members connected by columns, springs supported by means of the lower member of said frame, a plate resting on said springs, said plate having portions engaging said columns, anda bolster extending into the space between said columns and having an end portion resting slidably and directly on said plate for lateral movement with respectthereto, said bolster having means-to limit movement thereof transversely of said frame.

13. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a central opening with vertical columns at the sides thereof adapted to receive an end of the bolster therebetween, springs on said side frame, means between said bolster and said springs, directly engaged by both, whereby the bolster is supported for movement laterally with respect to the side frame, and means comprising projectionsextending inwardly from said side columns and terminating short of said bolster for guiding said bolster supporting'means;

14. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a central opening with vertical columns at the sides thereof adapted to receive an end of the bolster therebetweeen, springs on said side frame, a spring cap between said bolster and said springs, directly engaged by said bolster and on which the bolster is laterally movable with respect to the side frame, and means reinforcing said side columns and also constituting a guiding* means for said cap.

15. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a central opening with vertical columns at the sides thereof adapted to receive an end of the bolster therebetween, springs on said side frame, a spring cap member between said bolster and said springs directly engaged by said bolster and on which the bolster is laterally movable with respect to the side frame, and guiding means for said member, said guiding means comprising columns reinforcing the side columns of said window opening and engaging guide channels in said member.

16. In a railway vehicle truck, in combination,

a side frame having a central opening and normally vertical columns at the sides thereof, a bolster having one of its ends extending into said opening, springs supported on said side frame, a spring cap member in said opening and supported by said springs, said cap member having an upper face formed to support the associated end of the bolster and permit lateral movement thereof with respect to the frame, means normally extending vertically and serving to limit said lateral movement of the bolster with respect to said frame, said bolster being recessed and normally receiving said movement-limiting means, and means reinforcing the columns of said frame, said cap member having guide channels for normally receiving said column reinforcing means and interlocking said member with respect to said side frame.

17. A truck including a side framehaving a compression member, a tension member and guide columns defining a window opening, a bolster having one of its ends extending into said window opening and directly guided by the upper parts of said columns, a member on which an end portion of said bolster rests, detachable interlocking means between said member and bolster, said guide columns having portions extending inwardly and restricting the space therebetween below the bolster guiding parts of the columns, and interlocking means on said member and side frame including said inwardly extending portions for normally preventing said member from detaching from the side frame but permitting such detachment when said member is moved from normal position.

JEREMIAH J. SULLIVAN. 

